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Dog put down after more Hendra tests

Jessica Marszalek

Dusty the dog has been put down after the family received results of more testing that confirmed he could infect others with the potentially fatal Hendra virus.

The two-year-old kelpie became the first dog outside controlled laboratory experiments known to have contracted the bat-borne virus when he tested positive to Hendra antibodies last week.

Although appearing healthy, testing indicated the dog had contracted the virus at some stage but overcame it.

The case drew community outcry when it was revealed Dusty would have to be put down under strict national guidelines for dealing with Hendra cases, sparking social media campaigns to save him.

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But the Fearon family, of Mount Alford, said they had decided to put down the family pet on Sunday afternoon, rather that wait for Biosecurity Queensland to order them to do so.

"Our beloved dog Dusty was humanely euthanased by our family vet after results of his most recent blood tests confirmed that he carried Hendra virus antibodies, which meant he was able to shed the virus to other animals," the Fearons said in a statement.

"... We are devastated by the loss of our fourth family animal to the Hendra virus and are particularly saddened to witness the affect the loss of our young dog has had on our children," the statement said.

"We remain in awe of the support our family has been offered by friends and strangers nationwide.

"The campaigns and messages of support continue to comfort all of us."

Three horses were also victims of Hendra on the Fearon's property, southwest of Brisbane.

Meanwhile, pets may face mandatory testing on properties where Hendra virus has infected horses from now on.

Premier Anna Bligh said the tests had been voluntarily but Dusty's case had changed scientists' thinking.

"I understand that Biosecurity Queensland is looking at making that (testing) a standard protocol on every property where there is an infected horse," she told reporters on Sunday.

"... Given that we've now seen it crossing into another species, I understand they will be seeking to test other domestic animals."

Ms Bligh said Biosecurity Queensland was also looking at checking previously untested pets on properties where horses had been infected in previous weeks.